SYDNEY, February 10, 2026 — The second series of “The Artful Dodger” (Disney+) launches with a whirlwind of action, throwing viewers straight into the thick of things just six months after the dramatic events of its first season.
A Frantic Pace and Familiar Faces
The Disney+ series returns with Jack Dawkins on the run, a shark attack, and a ticking clock.
- The series picks up immediately after Captain Gaines’s death, with Jack Dawkins evading authorities.
- Inspector Boxer, from London, arrives in Port Victory to replace Gaines, intensifying the pursuit.
- Lady Belle Fox faces an ultimatum regarding her relationship with Dawkins, adding romantic tension.
- The show’s frantic pace, while energetic, sacrifices some of the emotional depth of the first season.
Within the first five minutes, the series throws a shark attack and a daring escape into the mix. “Oi!” bellow the wardens as Jack Dawkins, the surgeon-turned-convict, attempts to flee. “Tee-hee,” Dawkins replies, dodging between extras. But his freedom is short-lived, blocked by Inspector Boxer (Luke Bracey) who announces, “I am Inspector Boxer, from London, here to replace … Captain Gaines.” The mention of Gaines recalls the events of the first season’s finale, where the captain was shot by Red (Miranda Tapsell), leading to Dawkins’s wrongful conviction.
A Sequel Rooted in Classic Literature
Created by James McNamara, David Maher, and David Taylor, “The Artful Dodger” is a sequel to Charles Dickens’s “Oliver Twist,” set 15 years after the novel’s events. Dawkins and his mentor, Fagin (David Thewlis), now reside in the New South Wales penal colony of Port Victory. Dawkins has established himself as a skilled surgeon, but the temptation of heists with Fagin and his crew remains strong. A romantic subplot involves Lady Belle Fox (Maia Mitchell), the governor’s daughter, whose affections for Dawkins conflict with societal expectations.
The first season concluded with Dawkins and Fagin imprisoned by Gaines, exploring themes of loyalty and inescapable pasts. While the initial season was well-received, the second series feels, at times, like a rushed rehash of familiar elements.
A Race Against the Clock
As Inspector Boxer pursues Dawkins, Lady Jane Fox (Susie Porter), Belle’s mother, delivers a stark ultimatum: end the relationship with Belle within two years or face the noose. The series amps up the action with frequent chase sequences and a soundtrack of “contemporary pop,” creating a sense of urgency that occasionally overshadows character development. The emotional connection between Dawkins and Fagin, a highlight of the first season, is diminished, replaced by the demands of another heist. As Fagin grumbles, “we’ve got bigger problems than your feelin’s!”
While the series maintains a brisk pace and a willingness to take risks, some viewers may find themselves “a bit bleedin’ put out” by the lack of depth compared to its predecessor.
